332 THE SILKWORM. 



In a state of nature, the Silkworm, previous to the 

 Spinning of its web, seeks out some convenient 

 place to erect its cell without any obstruction. 

 When it has found a leaf, or a chink fitted to its pur- 

 pose, it begins to writhe its head in every direction, 

 and fastens its threads on every side to the walls of 

 its retreat. These, being continued, form at length 

 the little oval ball in which it is to undergo its 

 change. 



The exterior of the coccoon is composed of a 

 kind of rough cotton-like substance, which is called 

 floss ; within the thread is more distinct and even ; 

 and next the body of the aurelia the apartment seems 

 lined with a substance of the hardness of paper, but 

 of a much stronger consistence. The thread which 

 composes the coccoon is not rolled regularly round, 

 but lies upon it in a very irregular manner, and winds 

 off first from one side, and then from the other. 



In the course of six or seven days all the coccoons 

 are generally formed : they are then taken off the 

 branches of heath, and divided into classes. The 

 best are strong, and of a pure unspotted colour. 

 Some are white, and others vellow. The sroodones 

 are firm and sound, of a fine grain, and have both 

 ends round and strong. Those of a bright yellow 

 yield more silk than the others. But the pale ones 

 are preferred because they take certain colours bet- 

 ter, and because, since thev contain less <*um than 

 the others, they lose less than those in boiling. 



Five or six days after the coccoon has been de- 

 tached from the branches, the birth of the moth is 

 prevented, as this would otherwise pierce the sheik 



